Do student ambassadors need other jobs?

11

I know during busy periods, like open days, student ambassadors have a lot of work to do- but during less busy times how often would a student ambassador work? Do they have other part time jobs? If there's any student ambassadors reading this, I'd appreciate to know around how many hours you work a week during the less busy times and if you have other part time jobs whether during term or in the holidays.

Reply 1

LHU Billie

Official Rep

12

Original post

by Issy783

I know during busy periods, like open days, student ambassadors have a lot of work to do- but during less busy times how often would a student ambassador work? Do they have other part time jobs? If there's any student ambassadors reading this, I'd appreciate to know around how many hours you work a week during the less busy times and if you have other part time jobs whether during term or in the holidays.

Hi Issy

I’ve worked as a student ambassador now for just over a year however I do also have another part time job (one which I’d secured before starting uni). For me, my timetable has always enabled me to work around 16-20 hours whilst studying. I know not everyone is as lucky when it comes to timetabling. My student ambassador hours allow me to work open and applicant days as well as working on the student room! Other ambassadors can pick up hours for school and college visits both on and off campus as well as supporting the recruitment team during UCAS events all over the UK. For most students these hours are enough during busier study periods. I’m definitely more of a night owl when it comes completing assignments so this has always helped me balance part time work and studying. I’d recommend reaching out to student ambassadors if you are planning on visiting your chosen university for an open day or even reaching out online. This way you can get a more realistic view of what hours may be available to you, ambassador shifts might vary from one uni to the next.

I hope this helps.

Please do not hesitate to get back in touch if there’s anything else you’d like to chat about.

Good luck!

Billie🙂
Student Ambassador
Liverpool Hope University

Reply 2

De Montfort University

Official Rep

17

Original post

by Issy783

I know during busy periods, like open days, student ambassadors have a lot of work to do- but during less busy times how often would a student ambassador work? Do they have other part time jobs? If there's any student ambassadors reading this, I'd appreciate to know around how many hours you work a week during the less busy times and if you have other part time jobs whether during term or in the holidays.

Hiya!

This is my third year as a student ambassador, and the working hours can really vary. Some weeks, I've only worked a few hours, while in other weeks, I've clocked over 15 hours it can depend on your schedule but also what shifts are being advertised and how often. Some ambassadors have other jobs, while others don't—it really depends on each person’s situation.

Personally, I juggle a few part-time jobs. When I'm home for the holidays, like Christmas and summer, I have another part-time job where I work with younger children. I also recently started an internship at De Montfort University this October and this is a contract of 10 hours a week maximum.

My advice would be that it's absolutely okay to take on another job if you want, but try to find one that's as flexible as the student ambassador role. And remember—don’t overwork yourself!

In my experience, there tend to be more student ambassador shifts available after Easter. During this time, it can be tougher to get shifts because they've just hired new ambassadors who are eager to work and everyone wants a bit of money before the Xmas holidays

I hope this helps
-Maddie, Third year Health and Well-being in Society student at De Montfort University

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by Issy783

I know during busy periods, like open days, student ambassadors have a lot of work to do- but during less busy times how often would a student ambassador work? Do they have other part time jobs? If there's any student ambassadors reading this, I'd appreciate to know around how many hours you work a week during the less busy times and if you have other part time jobs whether during term or in the holidays.

From what my uni advertises, usually student ambassadors don't work outside of open days and outreach events or freshers. It's just a casual employment model where you get offered some hours if there's an event running and can choose if you want to work it, normally. It's a bit of extra money but it's not a consistent form of employment where you are working a set number of hours every month/week/day and have a reliable income from. There are some other similar casual employment opportunities through the uni but again, these tend to be just a couple hours a week at most. If you want a reliable income you'd need to be looking for a proper part-time job e.g. on weekends or otherwise during term time.

Note of course though you can try and find a full time paid internship or seasonal work over the summer to be earning full time between academic years to build up a "buffer" in your finances to relieve the need to work (as much) during the academic year. There's also usually seasonal work opportunities during the winter break for Christmas temps and mail sorters and such.

Reply 4

ARUStudents

Official Rep

14

Original post

by Issy783

I know during busy periods, like open days, student ambassadors have a lot of work to do- but during less busy times how often would a student ambassador work? Do they have other part time jobs? If there's any student ambassadors reading this, I'd appreciate to know around how many hours you work a week during the less busy times and if you have other part time jobs whether during term or in the holidays.

Hello @Issy783!

I'm Anna, and I've been a Student Ambassador since my first year of BSc (I took my BSc in Psych and Crim and now attending my Master both at ARU, just so you understand it's been quite some time now!)

As you said, Open days are a moment in which being a SA is quite busy, with the whole set up and working on the day(s) and all! But being a SA is not just Open Days!

During these years and thanks to ARU Temps, I had the chance to work as a SA in many different environment and settings. I've worked in the ARU Theatre as an usher (and watched the show for free twice!), I worked at the Science festival in Chelmsford and in other festivals around Cambridge as well (in multiple days too, not only once). I've also worked as a SA in photography and videography projects (where they take photos and videos for the university ads!), and I also had jobs in which I had the chance to help first-year students (L4) during their first trimester, as well as International students who came to Cambridge after the trimester had already started! Additionally, I also helped setting up the accommodations for students in the summer.

All this just to say, SA gives you the chance to work in so many different settings around the university.

Sometimes it is possible to have more chill weeks, and in these cases, it is possible to choose either to embrace the freedom and focus on the studies, or to maybe get some more jobs. I personally, as I said already, used ARU Temps a lot for this. I am a Teacher Assistant every Wednesday; I am also a Digital Student Ambassador for the university and I'll probably start working again as an Admissions Ambassador too!

It also depends on 1) personal availability, 2) time to study and to work on uni stuff, including classes, seminars, study sessions etc, 3) other hobbies and 4) family/friends!

I hope this helps!

If you have any other questions, please let me know 😊
Anna

Reply 5

Issy783

OP

11

Original post

by ARUStudents

Hello @Issy783!
I'm Anna, and I've been a Student Ambassador since my first year of BSc (I took my BSc in Psych and Crim and now attending my Master both at ARU, just so you understand it's been quite some time now!)
As you said, Open days are a moment in which being a SA is quite busy, with the whole set up and working on the day(s) and all! But being a SA is not just Open Days!
During these years and thanks to ARU Temps, I had the chance to work as a SA in many different environment and settings. I've worked in the ARU Theatre as an usher (and watched the show for free twice!), I worked at the Science festival in Chelmsford and in other festivals around Cambridge as well (in multiple days too, not only once). I've also worked as a SA in photography and videography projects (where they take photos and videos for the university ads!), and I also had jobs in which I had the chance to help first-year students (L4) during their first trimester, as well as International students who came to Cambridge after the trimester had already started! Additionally, I also helped setting up the accommodations for students in the summer.
All this just to say, SA gives you the chance to work in so many different settings around the university.
Sometimes it is possible to have more chill weeks, and in these cases, it is possible to choose either to embrace the freedom and focus on the studies, or to maybe get some more jobs. I personally, as I said already, used ARU Temps a lot for this. I am a Teacher Assistant every Wednesday; I am also a Digital Student Ambassador for the university and I'll probably start working again as an Admissions Ambassador too!
It also depends on 1) personal availability, 2) time to study and to work on uni stuff, including classes, seminars, study sessions etc, 3) other hobbies and 4) family/friends!
I hope this helps!
If you have any other questions, please let me know 😊
Anna

This was very helpful!!! Thank you!

Reply 6

LancashireRep1

Official Rep

16

Original post

by Issy783

I know during busy periods, like open days, student ambassadors have a lot of work to do- but during less busy times how often would a student ambassador work? Do they have other part time jobs? If there's any student ambassadors reading this, I'd appreciate to know around how many hours you work a week during the less busy times and if you have other part time jobs whether during term or in the holidays.

Hi @Issy783,

I'm a student ambassador at UCLan, so I'd love to add my input.

The amount of hours you have can vary person to person. Some ambassadors are trained in more areas than others, therefore have the opportunity to gain more shifts. So if you do become a student ambassador, I highly recommend taking on extra training when its offered.

Your hours could vary from 6-15+ hours a week. The busier times do offer more opportunities to work, however I tend to still find consistent work in between. There may also be opportunities to get on a recurring weekly shift, however these are competitive so make sure you have your name down quick!

I personally don't have another job, but many ambassadors I know do. With student ambassador work mostly being adhoc, you can just take on the shifts that fit around your schedule. So I wouldn't be concerned of the two jobs clashing. Whether you get another job depends entirely on much income you desire to have.

Overall, student ambassador is a great job but hours aren't guaranteed, but you can work your way to more shifts as you do more training. Generally you can get pretty consistent hours if you are flexible enough, possibly 8-10 hours per week or more!

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (Business and Management)

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 7

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Issy783

I know during busy periods, like open days, student ambassadors have a lot of work to do- but during less busy times how often would a student ambassador work? Do they have other part time jobs? If there's any student ambassadors reading this, I'd appreciate to know around how many hours you work a week during the less busy times and if you have other part time jobs whether during term or in the holidays.

Hi there

This is Coventry University Student Ambassador, I would like to tell you that it is true that we do have some days when we are fully packed with chores but in less busy periods we get around 4-5 hours a week if we have any open day and we are working at this platform simultaneously. Me being an International Student I am only allowed to work 20hrs /week during term time and 40hrs during holidays so ; as long as we are able to keep up to only working hours we are allowed, everything is fine. There is no as such complications in it if we want to work part-time we can. I am a waiter at a restaurant as well and I work there most of the days apart from this job. I hope it helps.

Regards
Amanjoti | Coventry University Student Ambassador |

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